‘Veep’ Star Compares Set In Columbia To Prison; Howard County Executive Responds With Humor

COLUMBIA, Md. (WJZ)—It was a vice presidential flub, but we’re not talking about Joe Biden. Instead, it’s Julia Louis-Dreyfus of HBO’s “Veep” who is apologizing after dissing Howard County in an online interview.

In an interview with New York Magazine, the actress seems not so happy with her surroundings.

“Thank God the work’s good,” Louis-Dreyfus said in the interview. “Can you imagine if it wasn’t? It would be a prison.”

Backlash started pouring in, and Louis-Dreyfus sent out this Tweet:

“Just want two clarify. I love Maryland. Our crew is fab. The prison joke was a joke re: the warehouse. Truly sorry if anyone was offended.”

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman posted a funny response on YouTube.

“What, what? She says Columbia is home to the dreariest American landscape imaginable, office parks, chain malls, and a cluster of Northeast warehouses. Obviously she doesn’t know the real Columbia, second best place to live in America,” Ulman said.

The video goes on to highlight all the great things in Howard County, including Merriweather Post Pavilion, an upcoming Whole Food and the Enchanted Forest.

“Who doesn’t like to play in a shoe? I mean, come on, playing in a shoe is fun,” Ulman said.

It turns out there was some confusion over the comments.

The real mean ones about Columbia were made by the reporter for New York Magazine, not by Louis-Dreyfus. The county executive acknowledged that Thursday.

“I know she loves Maryland. She loves Howard County and Baltimore. I think this reporter twisted the words, so we decided to have some fun. Although my offer stands. Break her out of that warehouse that she’s filming in and show her the real Columbia,” Ulman said.

And he’s serious. The county executive’s staff created a special, get-out-of-jail free card for the “Veep” star.

The video prompted a Twitter campaign that showed just how much Columbia residents love their town. If you want to follow it on Twitter, search for #awesomeColumbia.